A brief service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Horizons Care Center.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at 815 W. Main Street in Cedaredge. Mr. Cato's life will be celebrated with live music and barbecue for any friends who wish to attend.

Ronald William Cato was born in Fairview, Okla., Sept. 19, 1943, to William and Opal Cato Jr. He grew up in North Platte, Neb., and graduated from high school in Glenwood Springs, where he played football, track and basketball. He was in the ski club and was student body president.

After high school, he attended college in Colorado and San Diego and worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

He married Karen Hansen in 1967. They moved to Minneapolis in 1969 so Mr. Cato could attend the University of Minnesota. He had pursued a doctorate in philosophy for many years but did not complete the program.

He worked in department store sales, was a print machine operator at United Mailing Company, and worked at Meadow Gold Dairy in Delta.

He enjoyed his family, building telescopes, golfing, gardening, backpacking and fishing. He was a musician, performing lead vocals and lead guitar in a country rock band called Timberline.

In the mid '90s, Mr. Cato divorced and moved back to Cedaredge where he spent the rest of his life. He raised José Martinez, a teenage boy born in Mexico, as his own son.

He is survived by his son José; his daughter Kristin; and his ex-wife Karen, with whom he was reunited during his final year.

Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.